Redditch

Redditch's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in religion and housing tenure.

The population passed 84,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Redditch increased by 6.9%, from just over 78,800 to 84,200.

The addition of just over 5,400 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Redditch was home to, on average, 11 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Health improved

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's well-being.

The percentage of Redditch residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.0% in 2001 to 5.4% in 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (82%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 70% in 2001. The percentage of Redditch residents that described their health as fair decreased from 22% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad increased faster here than in any other local authority district across the West Midlands. The improvement brought health in Redditch close to the national average 5.5% in England described their health as good in 2011).

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Redditch decreased by 2.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Redditch, the West Midlands and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Redditch

The number of people in Redditch that described themselves as having no religion increased from just over 11,000 in 2001 to just under 22,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 14% to 26% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across the West Midlands (from 12% to 22%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Redditch that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 59,000 in 2001 to just over 53,000 in 2011 (from 75% to 63%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from about 5,700 to about 5,300 (from 7.3% to 6.3%).

About 2,900 people (2.4%) said they were Muslim, up from about 1,900 in 2001 (3.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Redditch increased by 11 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Redditch by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Redditch at a faster rate than in nearby Bromsgrove.

In Redditch, the proportion of private renting increased from 4.3% in 2001 to 12% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in Bromsgrove increased from 4.3% to 8.8%.

Across the West Midlands, the share of privately rented homes increased from 7.3% to 14%.

The rate of social housing in Redditch fell from 23% to 21%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 71% to 66%.

Private renting in Redditch increased by 7.4 percentage points

Percentage of households in Redditch, the West Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Redditch

The number of people in Redditch from the White ethnic groups increased from about 75,000 in 2001 to about 77,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 95% to 92%.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the West Midlands (from 89% to 83%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Redditch from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 2,300 in 2001 to about 4,000 in 2011 (from 2.9% to 4.8%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 1,000 to about 1,700 (from 1.3% to 2.0%).

About 860 people (0.9%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 670 in 2001 (1.0%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Redditch decreased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Redditch by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes without children

The percentage of households without children increased here at a faster rate than across England.

In Redditch, the proportion of households without children increased from 56% in 2001 to 58% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion across England increased from 61% to 61%.

Across the West Midlands, the share of households without children increased from 59% to 59%.

The proportion of households with children in Redditch fell from 33% to 31%, while the proportion of households with only adult children living with their parents decreased from 11% to 10%.

The proportion of households without children was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of households that without children across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

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Area report data

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